Late farmer honored by Historical Society

DYBERRY TWP. - The family of late agriculturist Joseph B. Park was on hand on the opening day of the 152nd Wayne County Fair to accept accolades on his behalf.

Park, 1896-1970, was selected as the 2014 winner of the award “People Who Make a Difference in Wayne County Agriculture,” the first time the Wayne County Historical Society has given the award posthumously.

"Joe Park loved Wayne County. He loved being with the people," Wayne County Historical Society chairwoman Linda Lee Dix said during a ceremony Friday at the packed J.B. Park Farm Museum at the fairgrounds.

The museum was named after Park and is visited by thousands each year during fair week.

Dix added that Park was a "very special man" who had an immeasurable impact on local agriculture.

Park’s life work was in Wayne County agriculture as a teacher and county agriculture supervisor, the first person to hold that position in the county.

One of the requirements of that position was to visit the students at their farms, checking their projects such as chickens, cows and gardens. In the process, he became acquainted with hundreds of farm parents.

Park's daughter, Catherine Park Greenham, said the family "really appreciates" the recognition bestowed upon their loved one.

Several family members spoke at the ceremony at the museum, saying Park had a dream and was able to live the dream and they were deeply honored to be there to accept the recognition.

"His vision was realized during his lifetime," said a news release.

Park began collecting discarded farm tools and machines and stored them in his house. Thus began the process that would later result in the farm museum named after him.

Park retired in 1956, allowing time to pursue volunteer activities. He had been a board member of the fair association for many years and was a founding member of the Wayne County Historical Society.

Working through both organizations, he launched his long time dream of having a farm museum, a place to showcase farm implements from the farmers of Wayne County.

Wayne County honors the memory of Park, who lived and worked among the county farmers. He had the vision of having a place where future generations could view and learn about Wayne County’s farming history, according to a news release.